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China’s appetite for imported food grows

NEW ORLEANS — China’s appetite for imported food will continue to grow despite a slowdown in its economy.

China’s economic growth slowed from 9.2% in 2009 to 7.5% in 2013 but the country remains a huge force in global food demand, Eric Trachtenberg, director of the food and agriculture sector for McLarty Associates, Washington, D.C., said during an Oct. 18 workshop on China at Fresh Summit 2013.

With U.S. fresh fruit exports to China valued at a record $111.4 million in 2012, he said China’s demand for imported fruits will continue to increase.

Agriculture contributes about 9.6% of China’s gross domestic product, he said, with nearly 40% of the workforce engaged in agriculture. China is the world’s number one producer of both fruits and vegetables, with 45% and 49% of global output, respectively.

Still, Trachtenberg said there is very little land in China suitable for farming. China has ten persons per hectare (about 2.5 acres) of arable land, more than twice the world average of 4.4 people per hectare. The amount of arable land in China is shrinking and is now about 298 million acres, or just 14% of China’s total land area.

As China’s economy has grown, there is increased demand for higher value products like fruits and vegetables, he said.

Urban migration will pull at least 1.5% of the rural population to the cities every year. Trachtenberg said that 250 million rural poor have moved to China’s cities already and 300 million more are expected to do so by 2020. By that time, the urban population will account for 70% of the economy.

“There will be more urban poor, less rural labor,” he said

The elderly population of China will increase from 167 million in 2010 to 300 million by in 2050, with a rising number of “empty nester” households.

“China will grow old as it growers richer,” Trachtenberg said.

Older consumers will create more demand for healthy food, he said.

The Middle Class will grow from 300 million in 2013 to 600 million in 2020, with annual wage growth of near 10% expected to continue.

The rising middle class will spend more on food and luxury items.

The challenges to China’s growth include water quality/quantity shortage and poor air quality. Close to 400,000 deaths per year are attributed to air pollution and China loses 8% to 12% of its gross domestic product because of its poor environment, he said. Lack of effective food safety regulations worry Chinese consumers, with continuing problems with dairy, meat and other products.

In response to China’s troubles regulating food, there is increasing interest from Chinese consumer for green and organic food, and healthy products.

Agricultural modernization will likely reduce the number of farms and increase sales. Chinese has the potential to show export growth in apples, pears, grapes, carrots, garlic and mushrooms, Trachtenberg said.

Investment in Chinese agriculture will increase from overseas and domestically with greater interest in modern seeds and genetically engineered crop.

China currently loses about 25% to 30% of its fruit and vegetable output, and Trachtenberg predicted greater investment in ag mechanization and post harvest treatment.

The country will benefit from falling internal trade barriers, improved infrastructure and improved food safety, he said.

Patrick Vizzone, analyst with the National Australia Bank, Hong Kong branch, said in his presentation that China’s economic growth will fuel food demand in Asia. China’s economy is expected to grow at a rate of close to 7.5% in 2013 and 7.2% in 2014, he said. That compares with 3.5% growth for the global economy.

The expansion of agriculture productivity will slow due to resource constraints, he said.